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To be fair, the Mandy of a few weeks ago would have, because she’d never even contemplated having a relationship, but suddenly she wanted what other people had.
“Hey, Mandy.”
“Hi, Lenny.”
From the lodge, Lenny was a friend of Jack’s, and like Jack he’d looked out for her. Tall and lanky, he had a nice smile and was always happy.
“Who knew you sang that well?”
“It’s not something I usually do, but my aunts blackmailed me into it with tears.”
“Harsh but true,” Aunt Marla said.
“You want to dance, Mandy?”
“I’m not really—”
“She would love to, Lenny,” Aunt Sarah said.
“Great.”
Mandy glared at her aunt as Lenny led her to the floor, where Fin was dancing with Maggs.
Ted, she noticed, was talking to Dylan. That kiss…. Her body still hummed. Maybe he was right about her and that she was different from him, and maybe he was trying to protect her, but Mandy felt about done with that now. People had been protecting her for years, and she’d let them. It was long past time she stood on her own two feet.
“You move well, Mandy.” Jack joined her and Lenny. “All these years, and I never knew.”
“All part of the new me, Uncle Jack.”
“I like it.”
He flashed her one of his killer smiles. The man had been a legend with women in these parts before he and Rory had fallen in love. There were plenty of unhappy ladies after that.
“Just saw my nephew, actually; he already looks smarter than me. Gracie was fussing around him like a little hen. That kid is the best.”
“She’s so sweet,” Mandy agreed. “And has her uncles right where she wants them.”
“Actually, has everyone right where she wants them.” Lenny raised her hand and Mandy did a twirl. It felt good so she did another one.
This was fun. She’d missed out on these kinds of things, but no more.
“When you moving to the apartment?” Jack did a shimmy with his hips that Mandy tried to copy.
“Like this.” Lenny grabbed her around the waist and moved her.
“Tomorrow,” Mandy said, shimmying. “And then the next day Bailey, Rory, and maybe Maggs are going to take me shopping for clothes.”
“No way are you letting them get hold of you?” Jack grabbed her hips and moved them again.
“I know, right? I’m not going to lie, I’m nervous they’ll dress me in skintight leopard print.”
“You be strong, girl, I know what those women can be like.”
Mandy laughed and did another shimmy. Jack clapped, and the Howling boys joined their circle. It was fun, being with these men who all had women in their lives, except Lenny, but he was her friend. They teased her, and she teased them back.
“I’ll come help you with the move if you like?”
“Thanks, Jack. I don’t have much, but what I got from Bas will need carrying up the steps.”
